How To Use 就是 in Chinese?

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How to use 就是

Duplicated adjectives in Chinese

How to use 把

How to use 被

How to use 为了

How to use 总是

How to use 刚 and 刚刚

Expressing “less than” with 不到

How to use 极了

How to use 就是

How to use 地

How to use 挺

How to use 看起来

How to use 如果

How to use 另外

Before and after with 之前 & 之后

How to use 那么 and 这么

Differences between 通过 and 经过

How to use 着

Chinese comparison structures

How to use 之类的

How to use 越来越

How to use 来说

Expressing "no wonder" with 怪不得 and 难怪

On This Page

How To Use 就是

Explanation

Saying 就 Instead Of 就是

Faqs

HOW TO USE 就是

As an adverb 就是 is always placed before predicates to intensify the tone.

Although it is mainly used to emphasise sentences, don’t look down upon this tiny phrase as it is used quite often and can make your speech all the more native!

HOW TO USE 就是 | EXPLANATION

There are two key things to note about the 就是 construction:

Firstly, “就是” is similar to just. For example, we might say, “it’s just not right!” As you can see, it is to put an emphasis.Secondly, “就是” is an objective emphasis phrase. However, sometimes it suggests an intense or provocative feeling. It may also carry a flippant, stubborn tone in specific contexts interestingly enough.

It is often placed before verbs:

PATTERN

就是（+ 不）+ Verb

wǒ jiù shì bú xǐ huān chī xī lán huā

Play

我就是不喜欢吃西兰花。

I just don’t like broccoli.

wǒ fù mǔ jiù shì bú tóng yì wǒ qù

Play

我父母就是不同意我去。

My parents just wouldn’t let me go.

View More Phrases

CHINESEPINYINENGLISHPlay我就是不喜欢吃西兰花。wǒ jiù shì bú xǐ huān chī xī lán huāI just don’t like broccoli.Play我父母就是不同意我去。wǒ fù mǔ jiù shì bú tóng yì wǒ qùMy parents just wouldn’t let me go.Play我就是不想睡觉。wǒ jiù shì bú xiǎng shuì jiàoI just don’t want to sleep.Play我就是很喜欢写作。wǒ jiù shì hěn xǐ huān xiě zuòI just love writing.Play成都就是经常下雨。chéng du jiù shì jīng cháng xià yǔIt rains a lot in Chengdu.Play鸡翅就是很好吃。jī chì jiù shì hěn hǎo chīChicken wings are just so delicious.Play咖啡就是要搭配牛奶。kā fēi jiù shì yào dā pèi niú nǎiMilk is so important when it comes to coffee.Play我就是不想听。wǒ jiù shì bú xiǎng tīngI just don’t want to hear it.Play过年就是要吃饺子。guò nián jiù shì yào chī jiǎo zǐChinese New Year is all about eating dumplings.Play她就是很自私。tā jiù shì hěn zì sīShe is just very selfish.Play她就是不想改正错误。tā jiù shì bú xiǎng gǎi zhèng cuò wùShe just doesn’t want to correct her mistakes.Play年轻人就是很有活力。nián qīng rén jiù shì hěn yǒu huó lìYoung people are very energetic.Play谣言就是传播得很快。yáo yán jiù shì chuán bō dé hěn kuàiRumours just spread fast.

SAYING 就 INSTEAD OF 就是

As you may have noticed, sometimes Chinese people say “就” instead of “就是.”

It can also be placed before verbs with a similar emphatic function.

Just remember, it works as a part of “就是”, even if the “是” is invisible!

wǒ jiù bú xiǎng gào sù nǐ

Play

我就不想告诉你。

I just don’t want to tell you.

wǒ jiù yǒu zhè yī gè xiǎng fǎ

Play

我就有这一个想法。

I only have this idea.

View More Phrases

CHINESEPINYINENGLISHPlay做事就要踏踏实实。zuò shì jiù yào tà tà shí shíJust make things down-to-earth.Play你就应该按时上班。nǐ jiù yīng gāi àn shí shàng bānYou really should go to work on time.Play他犯了错误，但他就不承认。tā fàn le cuò wù ，dàn tā jiù bú chéng rènHe made a mistake, but he just won’t admit it.Play我就不喜欢学数学。wǒ jiù bú xǐ huān xué shù xuéI just hate Maths.

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FAQs

What is the purpose of 就是?就是 can be used as an adverb to intensify the tone.

It’s also mainly used to emphasize sentences.

What is the 就是 structure? 就是 is often placed before verbs :

就是 + verb

If the sentence is negative :

就是（+不）+ verb

Can I just say 就 instead of 就是?Yes you can!

就 used alone works like 就是.

For example:

我就有这一个想法。or 我就是有这一个想法。

-> I only have this idea.

How to pronounce 就是?就是 is pronounced jiù shì.

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Duplicated adjectives in Chinese

A A + 的 (+ Noun)

How to use 把

把 + Object + Verb phrases

How to use 被

Subject + 被 + Doer of the action (optional) + Verb

How to use 为了

为了 …… ，Subject ……

How to use 总是

Subject + 总是 + Verb

How to use 刚 and 刚刚

Subject + 刚 + Verb

Expressing “less than” with 不到

Subject + Verb + 不到 (+ noun/noun phrase)

How to use 极了

Subject + Adjective + 极了

How to use 就是

就是（+ 不）+ Verb

How to use 地

Subject + Adjective + 地 + Verb

How to use 挺

挺 + Adjective + 的

How to use 看起来

Subject + 看起来 + Adjective

How to use 如果

如果 + Statement, (就 +) Statement

How to use 另外

另外 + Number + Measure Word + Noun

Before and after with 之前 & 之后

Event/Time + 之前/之后

How to use 那么 and 这么

Subject + 那么/这么 + Adjective

Differences between 通过 and 经过

经过 + Event / Time ，……

How to use 着

Place + Verb + 着 + [Noun Phrase]

Chinese comparison structures

Noun 1 + 跟 / 和 + Noun 2 + 一样

How to use 之类的

⋯⋯ 之类的 + Category

How to use 越来越

Subject + 越来越 + Adjective + 了

How to use 来说

对 + Person/Thing/Animal + 来说 + [Statement/Opinion]

Expressing "no wonder" with 怪不得 and 难怪

怪不得 + [Observation/Outcome], 原来 + [Reason]